Aloha and Nikko to sing Negro and National anthems Saturday
At the Gateway Football Classic, Mischeaux will perform “Lift Every Voice and Sing” while Smith will sing “The Star-Spangled Banner.”
Lydia McGhee
For the St. Louis American
St. Louis natives and American Idols Aloha Mischeaux and Nikko Smith will be on-hand for the 2005 Gateway Football Classic. The new-found celebrities are proudly returning home and taking a break from their quickly growing careers to share in a little St. Louis spirit.
Mischeaux and Smith will participate in the Gateway Classic Hardee’s Parade Saturday morning and will also open the game that afternoon with solo musical performances. Mischeaux will perform “Lift Every Voice and Sing” (the Negro National Anthem) while Smith will sing “The Star-Spangled Banner” (the U.S. National Anthem).
Both Idols answered the show’s casting call after being spurred on by family and friends.
“My mother and a friend encouraged me to audition,” said Smith. He said the audition process was exhausting, but well worth it in the end. Mischeaux was also encouraged by friends to audition after prior attempts to crack the music industry fell through. She said she was a little nervous about the audition, but after “praying and walking around” to calm her nerves, she was in the moment and ready to go.
Neither candidate knew that a plea from friends would forever change their lives.
“Being a part of Idol was one of my best and worst experiences, but I’m glad it happened the way it did,” Mischeaux said. “It’s still hard for me to accept the celebrity title because I’m just me, but I’m always excited to meet fans.”
One of Smith’s eye-opening experiences occurred when he returned to the Savvis Center in St. Louis as a performer on the American Idol Tour. “I had just gone to the Savvis Center to see the Best of Both World’s Tour, so to be back in the center as a performer was amazing,” Smith said.
Despite being thrust into the limelight by the American Idol juggernaut, both contestants remain grounded and focused. Mischeaux and Smith both grew up in St. Louis singing in church. Family and faith are the undisputed motivators and supports for these budding stars.
Mischeaux, a graduate of University City High School, was a member of the dance squad and numerous other student organizations. Smith, a graduate of Parkway West, is of course the son of baseball Hall of Famer Ozzie Smith, but he said he gets his voice from his mother, Denise.
“I remember the way she used to walk through the house singing when I was younger,” said Smith. He admits to being a “momma’s boy” and says his mother is everything to him. “I couldn’t imagine my life without my mother,” he said.
Both former Idols have been recording albums and traveling the country to further their careers. Both have had brushes and made connections with celebrities in and outside of the music industry. Smith’s cool and reserved demeanor was tested when he met Babyface during the American Idol finale. “I was, like, that’s Babyface,” said Smith.
Mischeaux and Smith both took a chance and have made their families, friends, and fans in St. Louis proud. After the 2005 Gateway Football Classic Weekend, keep your eyes open for albums and appearances from both artists coming soon.
The 2005 Gateway Football Classic will kick off at 4 p.m. this Saturday, Sept. 24 at the Edward Jones Dome. The Hardee’s Parade starts that morning at 9 a.m. at 12th & Market streets. For game tickets, call (314) 621-1994.